Nuuk, Greenland / Copenhagen, Denmark – January 5, 2026 – Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has strongly condemned recent statements by US President Donald Trump regarding the need for American control over Greenland, describing the rhetoric as "completely unacceptable" and "disrespectful." In a social media post early Monday, Nielsen emphasized Greenland's sovereignty and called for an end to insinuations of annexation.
"The current and repeated rhetoric from the United States is completely unacceptable. When the US president talks about 'needing Greenland' and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong. It is disrespectful," Nielsen stated. He highlighted Greenland's NATO membership and strategic awareness, stressing the need for a "respectful and loyal relationship" with Washington. "Threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends."
Nielsen further asserted: "Our country is not an object in great-power rhetoric. We are a people. A country. A democracy. That must be respected — especially by close and loyal friends." Declaring "Enough is enough," he demanded "No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation." While open to dialogue through "proper channels and in respect of international law," he criticized indirect approaches via social media, affirming: "Greenland is our home and our territory. And that is how it will remain."
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed these sentiments in a statement, urging the US to "stop the threats" against a "historically close ally" and a people who have "made it very clear that they are not for sale." She stated: "It makes absolutely no sense to talk about it being necessary for the United States to take over Greenland. The United States has no legal basis to annex one of the three countries of the Realm of the Kingdom (Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands)."
Frederiksen highlighted existing defense agreements granting the US wide access to Greenland and noted the Kingdom's NATO coverage under collective security guarantees.
The backlash follows Trump's comments on Sunday, January 4, aboard Air Force One and in an interview with The Atlantic, where he reiterated that the US "absolutely" needs Greenland for national security, claiming the island is "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place." Trump argued Denmark cannot adequately secure it and that "the European Union needs us to have it" from a security standpoint.
These statements come amid heightened US actions in the Western Hemisphere, including the recent military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro. Trump's rhetoric has revived his longstanding interest in Greenland, first prominently raised in 2019, now framed against perceived Arctic threats from Russia and China.
Several Nordic and Baltic nations quickly voiced solidarity. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated: "It is only Denmark and Greenland that have the right to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland. Sweden fully stands behind our neighboring country." Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reaffirmed standing "fully and completely" behind Denmark, while Finnish President Alexander Stubb expressed "full support," noting: "No one decides for Greenland and Denmark but Greenland and Denmark themselves."
Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir echoed "nothing about Greenland without Greenland" and "full solidarity." Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs emphasized addressing US security needs through "direct dialogue" and NATO frameworks, while Estonian parliamentary foreign affairs committee chair Marko Mihkelson underscored Denmark as a "very committed ally," adding: "Greenland is safe. Only the people of Greenland and Denmark can decide their future and security."
This unified response highlights concerns over sovereignty and alliance cohesion within NATO, where Denmark is a founding member and Greenland's strategic position supports US operations like Pituffik Space Base.
The episode underscores growing Arctic geopolitical competition, with melting ice opening routes and resources, prompting investments from multiple powers. However, independent assessments find no evidence of Greenland being "surrounded" by adversarial ships as described.
As tensions persist, calls mount for diplomatic resolution respecting international law and territorial integrity.
